Challenge for 2022

A Servant to All _ John 13:1-17

9:00 AM

O Beloved, I've so looked forward to this series. Each year leading up to Easter I try to find ways in which I can truly meditate on the full weight of all Jesus endured for each of us and this year I'd like to be transported back to this time - this week; to truly study the culture of the day and understand all that was going on around them, beyond what is written down. Today, we'll look at Jesus' loving act of washing the dusty feet of His disciples.


John 13:1-17

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus… got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing,… and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. — John 13:2-5

It has been a long day. The streets of Jerusalem have been crowded with visitors who have come to celebrate the Passover. Surely everyone who is anyone has heard the rumors of this man who speaks as one with authority- who has healed the lame, sick and blind and has actually just recently raised a man called Lazarus from the dead! Everywhere Jesus went people were pressing in to simply catch a glimpse of this man if nothing more.

It was a warm spring day and the streets were dusty and dry. The disciples were a long way from home and are ready to recline at a table away from the crowds and enjoy an evening meal with Jesus.

They enter an upper room that has been reserved for them, and one by one, they take their place around the table. They are all guests here in this room where there aren’t any servants waiting to serve and wash their feet as they enter. There is, however a towel hanging on the wall, and a pitcher and a basin sitting close by on the floor. Any one of the disciples could rise to volunteer to wash the feet of their friends, but no one does, for after all some have been wondering just who would be the greatest when Jesus comes into His kingdom and the task of  washing guest's feet was the job of the lowliest in the household.

 Suddenly, Jesus stands and lays aside His outer garment, wraps the towel around His waist, pours water into the basin, and kneels down before one of the disciples and begins to remove his sandals and wash his feet. One dusty foot after another, Jesus begins to work His way around the table.

John tells us that once Jesus made his way to Peter, Peter begins to object, but I have to wonder… was Peter the only one who voiced an objection? Were the others silent and stupefied – wondering why Jesus would do such a thing? 

The King of the universe was bending down again to serve. The hands that had created the world in which they walked were now washing away the filth on their feet. It was now only hours before Jesus would be arrested, beaten and crucified for each of them and us. Why has Jesus felt the need to do such a thing?

Jesus knew one pair of feet at the table will abandon and betray Him that very night. And the others will all flee as quickly as they can the moment Jesus is arrested, except one pair who would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster would crow.

Jesus knew each of these men would soon hang their heads in shame and look down at their feet, and He wants them to remember how He knelt down before them to wash their feet and the words He spoke, 

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:12-17) 

For one day very soon they would be given the task to begin the New Testament church. 

My takeaway (and I hope you'll share your insights with me as well) is Jesus was still about His Father’s business at this time knowing that His work on earth is about to end and He will soon be taken off the earth. I believe this act of washing the disciples' feet at this time is a symbolic act of cleansing and purifying, so that their spiritual walk following Him would be holy and spotless. 

And the neat thing is; He still does this today with each one who gives their heart to Him! He still carefully washes away our dust and grime with living water and then uses His own covering to refresh, restore and make us fit for His kingdom work.

Blessing, 

sue

 


 

Becky Austin

A Servant’s Heart (John 13)

11:30 AM




Reading: John 13

The story of Jesus washing the disciples feet is truly a beautiful pictures of selfless love. We are told that Jesus had unwavering love for his disciples, even with the knowledge of their flaws and imperfections. “...Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (v1) This is the same love that Jesus loves us with as well. It is a love that will be with us no matter what. It is a love that will never end. 


“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (v3-5)  Jesus, knowing that he had supreme power and majesty as the Son of God, could have dressed himself in the finest clothes, surrounded himself with the richest earthly treasures and been waited on hand and foot. But, instead, the God of the Universe gave us the example of being a servant. He showed us that we have value. He showed us his greatest desire...to give of himself to us so that we can be purified and have an intimate relationship with Him. 

He even washed the feet of Judas, knowing that Judas would betray him. His love extends to all men, even those who will reject the love He offers. 


Jesus showed us that there is no task of service that should be beneath us. This is something we should remember as we go through our daily lives, being asked to give of our time, our energy and our resources...in our jobs, caring for our families, in the often mundane duties of daily responsibilities and tasks. It is something we should remember when He shows us the needs of others. We are called to be servants to each other.  “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (v14-15)  


Washing the feet of the disciples was an intimate physical cleansing but it also was symbolic of spiritual cleansing. Peter initially didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet because he thought that it was dishonorable for his master to do such a thing. When he realized it had spiritual significance, he quickly jumped to the other extreme and asked for a full body bath. But, Jesus explained that He only needed his feet washed. Spurgeon gives this explanation:

He that believeth in Christ is fully forgiven. He is like a man who has gone into the bath, and washed, but, when he steps out of the bath, and puts his foot on the ground, he often soils it, so that, before he robes himself, he needs to wash his feet again. That is our condition as believers in Jesus; we are washed in his precious blood, and are whiter than snow; but these feet of ours constantly touch this defiling earth, so they need every day to be washed.


If you have accepted the salvation of Jesus you are spiritually washed white as snow. You are 100% forgiven and accepted. You are granted eternal life. But, we live in this fallen, sinful world and we still experience the sinful tainting of living life on this imperfect earth. It is important to daily renew our minds and daily commune with God to keep the grime of life from clinging to us. Daily, we need to let Him wash our feet. 

Believe

SoulSearching Sunday~The Power Of A Changed Life

12:00 AM

Sunday, October 21, 2018


Week Forty-two...

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was John 5 - 17...

 1. What fears have you allowed to drown out God’s voice lately? We can face our fears with confidence, knowing that God is with us even in the storms. Take your fears to the One who alone can deal with and overcome them.

 Soon a gale swept down upon them as they rowed, and the sea grew very rough. They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but He called out to them, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” (John 6:18-20)

 2. What in your life can only be explained in terms of the supernatural, that is to say, “God did it”? Make a list of the most significant changes God has made in you. Thank Him for what He has done for you; then look for an opportunity to tell those around you.

 “Yes, LORD,” the man said, “I believe!” And he worshiped Jesus. (John 9:38)

 3. Describe a time when you were shocked by someone’s act of humble service. What would you feel if Jesus, the LORD of the universe, were washing your feet? Today, how can you serve others with the caring and compassion of Christ? Thank Him for His example of humility and love.
And since I, the LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (John 13:14-15)